Select your course options:
Summary:
Applying through UCAS? Apply here (X301)
Course Code: X301
Applying through UCAS? Apply here (X3FY)
Course Code: X3FY
Where Are You Applying From?
How Would You Like To Study?
When Do You Want To Start Your Studies?
Which Campus Would You Like To Study At?
Which Options Would You Like With Your Course?
Why choose the School of Education
Our education courses rank in the UK top three in their subject field for teaching quality; they rank in the UK top 10 for student experience (Times, 2025)
Over 95% of our full-time UK graduates in education and teaching are in employment and/or further study, 15 months after graduating (Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes data for 2020/21, pub 2023).
95% of our education students were satisfied with the learning opportunities their course offered and how well it developed knowledge and skills for the future (NSS, 2024).
About the course
This broad-based course is designed to give you a solid foundation in education theory and practice, setting you up for a career in education or working with children. It explores different fields such as psychology, health, law and social welfare while building your understanding of the role of education in modern society in the UK and internationally. There is a strong focus on employability, allowing you to put educational theory into practice through work placements and volunteering including a final-year, work-based unit in an education setting.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Mock classrooms with specialist technology so you can watch and assess your lesson.
- Forest School where you can deepen your understanding of the long-term educational benefits of outdoor learning opportunities.
- Specialist sensory centre to support your understanding of how teachers teach and children learn, within early years and SEND contexts.
- Multi-media space for webinars and podcasting.
Industry links
As one of the largest providers of teacher education in the eastern region, we have well-established partnerships with more than 500 schools and other associated organisations, a network that puts us at the forefront of educational developments.
Student experience
- Flexible unit choices allow you to specialise in a particular area that may align with your future career intentions.
- You work with an academic team with expertise across sociology, history, philosophy of education and critical pedagogy.
- Many of our staff also have "previous lives" in frontline professions, including youth work and education, and bring real-world perspectives to teaching sessions.
- You benefit from the support of your own personal tutor, a unit and course coordinator, and the additional support of our experienced library staff, all of whom will help you throughout your student journey and with balancing study with work and personal commitments.
- Our Bedford campus is a small, thriving academic community where academic staff get to know you well.
with Professional Practice Year
This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.
There is no tuition fee for the placement year enabling you to gain an extra year of experience for free.
*Only available to UK/EU students.
with Foundation Year
A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.
With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.
The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.
This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?
- Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
- Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
- Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
- Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees
The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.
During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.
Course Leader - Dr Oliver Belas
I have been an educator – working in HE, secondary education (as a classroom assistant and teacher), and HE again – since 2005. I joined the University of Bedfordshire’s School of Education and English (SEE), where I teach on the Education and English Literature degrees, in January 2018.
Course Leader - Dr Oliver Belas
I have been an educator – working in HE, secondary education (as a classroom assistant and teacher), and HE again – since 2005. I joined the University of Bedfordshire’s School of Education and English (SEE), where I teach on the Education and English Literature degrees, in January 2018.
What will you study?
Education BA (Hons) Course Foundation
This course provides a comprehensive foundation in education and special educational needs (SEN), equipping students with interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills. It prepares learners to address diverse educational challenges and engage with children, young people, and families in varied settings.
Narratives of Childhood
Explore theories of childhood, youth, and education to deepen your understanding of societal and cultural influences on development. This unit fosters critical thinking about how narratives shape perceptions of childhood and informs practice for those working with young populations.
The Lifelong Curriculum
Learn to design and implement curricula by analysing historical and contemporary educational policies. This unit emphasises adaptability, ensuring graduates can create inclusive, dynamic learning frameworks that respond to evolving societal needs.
Developing Teaching Practice
Apply theoretical knowledge to real-world teaching through evidence-based strategies. Focus on delivering effective classroom sessions, informed by current research, to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
Comparative Education
Adopt a global lens to examine educational systems, policies, and challenges across cultures. Analyse disparities in access, quality, and equity to develop solutions for international educational issues.
Deschooling
Critically assess traditional educational structures and pedagogical norms. This unit challenges conventional practices, encouraging innovative approaches to teaching and learning that prioritise student agency and creativity.
Working with Children and Young People in the Digital Age
Investigate the role of technology in young lives, from digital literacy to online safety. Learn to balance tech integration with ethical considerations, supporting healthy development in a connected world.
Families and Communities
Examine social, economic, and cultural factors impacting family dynamics in contemporary Britain. This unit highlights collaboration between educators, families, and communities to foster supportive environments for children.
Contemporary Debates in Education, Childhood, and Youth
Engage with media and political influences on educational policy formation. Debate issues like equity, globalisation, and identity to understand their impact on practice and policy.
The Inclusive Society
Analyse UK welfare reforms and their implications for social inclusion. Evaluate policies affecting marginalised groups and develop strategies to promote equity in educational and community settings.
Early Child Psychology
Study developmental psychology to understand how early childhood experiences influence learning. Apply this knowledge to design supportive educational environments tailored to young learners’ needs.
Psychology of Adolescence
Focus on adolescent cognitive, emotional, and social development. Explore challenges like identity formation and peer relationships, and their impact on learning and behavior.
Perspectives on Pedagogy and Behaviour
Investigate theories of behavior management within educational contexts. Learn to create positive classroom climates that address behavioral challenges through empathy and evidence-based practices.
Children and Young People’s Wellbeing
Address mental health and emotional issues affecting youth in education. Develop strategies to support wellbeing, including trauma-informed practices and resilience-building interventions.
Representations of Disability
Critique media portrayals of disability and their societal impact. Challenge stereotypes and advocate for accurate, empowering narratives that promote inclusion.
Policy and Practice in SEND
Evaluate current frameworks for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). Assess their effectiveness in meeting individual needs and identify opportunities for systemic improvement.
Critical Debates in SEND Education
Compare national and global approaches to SEND education. Discuss inclusive practices, resource allocation, and policy gaps to advocate for equitable solutions.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Explore evolving safeguarding protocols and complete certified training. Understand legal responsibilities, risk assessment, and collaborative strategies to protect vulnerable youth.
Introduction to Educational Philosophy
Examine philosophical concepts like ethics, justice, and knowledge in education. Reflect on how these ideas shape teaching practices and institutional policies.
Reading Philosophy and Education
Analyse intersections between philosophical texts and educational theory. Engage with works by thinkers like Plato and Dewey to inform critical perspectives on pedagogy.
Discourse and Ideology
Study language’s role in shaping educational ideologies through conversation analysis. Decode power dynamics in communication to challenge biases and promote equity.
Creative Writing
Hone storytelling and poetic skills in workshop settings. This unit fosters creativity and reflective practice, enhancing communication skills vital for educators.
Children’s and Young Adult Fiction
Analyse genres like fairy tales, fantasy, and dystopian fiction. Explore works by authors such as Dahl and Blyton, and create original stories for young audiences.
Individuals in Society (Education)
Investigate sociology’s role in education, focusing on identity, socialisation, and inequality. Understand how societal structures influence educational experiences.
Contemporary Society in a Global World (Education)
Examine globalisation’s impact on education, including migration, multiculturalism, and digital connectivity. Develop strategies for culturally responsive teaching.
Dissertation
Conduct independent research on a topic of choice under expert supervision. Demonstrate critical analysis, research proficiency, and original contributions to educational discourse.
Examining Research
Explore how research shapes education and sport. Learn to evaluate methodologies and apply findings to improve practice in diverse settings.
Studying for Higher Education
Master academic skills essential for university success, including critical reading, referencing, and time management. Transition effectively into higher education environments.
Investigating the Social World
Gain expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods. Practice data collection, analysis, and ethical reporting to conduct robust educational research.
Key Concepts in Education
Refine academic writing and debate skills through structured exercises. Engage with core educational theories to produce high-standard scholarly work.
Each unit is designed to build theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and critical awareness, preparing graduates to excel as reflective, innovative educators in diverse contexts
How will you be assessed?
This course aims to provide a wide range of assessment methods to support the diverse needs of our learners. Assessments include exams exhibitions essays webfolios panel discussions debates practicals case studies reflective logs and presentations. The assignments will build directly on the teaching sessions and you will be supported by lectures to complete the assignments. Substantial guidance is provided on the VLE and in detailed assessment briefs. In level 4 more support is provided in the form of formative assessment opportunities and we will explain the role of constructive feedback to you. You will also have more hours dedicated to guided (staff directed learning activities) in level 4 compared to later in the course.
There are opportunities for 1 to 1 and group tutorials to support the assessments both within units and in personal tutorials and staff office hours. The overall purposes of assessment in this course are:
- Objectively to measure your achievements against the specified learning outcomes of the unit and course (summative).
- To assist student learning by providing appropriate feedback on performance (formative).
- To provide a reliable and consistent basis for boards of examiners to determine the progression of and conferment of achievement.
Careers
As well as providing the background needed for application to postgraduate teacher training this course offers graduates potential career options including: working with children and young people such as youth and community work social care education welfare children’s centre charities and youth justice/youth offenders.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
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